Astros vs Blue Jays: Starting Lineup - Opening Game Preview

Like the Blue Jays, Houston enters the series with a two-game division lead. The Astros dropped two of three to the Texas Rangers over the weekend.

The Astros have managed to hold on to the top spot in the AL West despite their recent struggles and a rash of injuries across their roster.

While it's not an intra-division matchup, there is still plenty at stake this week between the Blue Jays and Astros.

Not only are both clubs trying to hold firm to their division leads, but a first-round bye is still up in the air for the two division winners with the best records in October.

Toronto (82-61) holds a lead over the Astros (78-66), but with fewer than three weeks left in the 2025 schedule, nothing is set in stone.

Shane Bieber is on the bump versus Astros starter Luis Garcia. First pitch is at 7:07 PM ET on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

Shane Bieber (2-1) earned the win in his last outing over the Reds, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six.

All of the damage against Bieber came in the second inning, when he allowed five runs on five hits.

The right-hander settled in and held the Reds scoreless over his final four frames en route to an eventual 13-9 victory. Prior to September 3rd, Bieber had allowed just three runs over his first two starts (11.1 innings) following his return from Tommy John surgery.

Luis Garcia (1-0) gets the ball for Houston. In his last outing he was the pitcher of record in an 8-3 win over the Angels, allowing three earned runs on three hits and no walks while striking out six over six innings.

Pitching in the majors for the first time since May 1, 2023 following a lengthy recovery from Tommy John surgery and multiple related setbacks, Garcia came through with a quality start while tossing 79 total pitches.

Garcia averaged 91.4 miles per hour on his fastball, down 1.3 mph from his mark in 2023, but some decline in his velocity was to be expected coming off the major arm operation.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been key for Toronto with 23 home runs, 79 RBI and a batting average of .301 this season.

Bichette leads Toronto in batting average (.311) and runs batted in (93) this season while also slugging 18 homers.

George Springer is slugging .547 this season, with a team-high 27 home runs. He's also collected 72 RBI.

Ernie Clement has collected 132 hits this season and has an OBP of .311. He's slugging .398 on the year.

Jose Altuve has a team-high 24 homers.

Pena's .304 batting average is a team-high mark.

Yainer Diaz is hitting .250 with 20 doubles, a triple, 18 home runs and 20 walks.

Christian Walker has collected 76 runs batted in to lead his team.

Blue Jays:Ryan Burr: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Yimi Garcia: 60 Day IL (Ankle), Robinson Pina: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Alek Manoah: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Nick Sandlin: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Bowden Francis: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Anthony Santander: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Angel Bastardo: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Astros:Spencer Arrighetti: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Bennett Sousa: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Josh Hader: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Kaleb Ort: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Brandon Walter: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Ronel Blanco: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Zach Dezenzo: 60 Day IL (Hand), John Rooney: 60 Day IL (Concussion / nasal), Brendan Rodgers: 60 Day IL (Oblique), Isaac Paredes: 60 Day IL (Hamstring), Hayden Wesneski: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Pedro Leon: 60 Day IL (Knee)